Law enforcement officers are an ever-present target for criticism. There are exceptions, of course: praise was widespread and heartfelt throughout the nation for the selfless sacrifice of New York City police officers (and firefighters) who died in the line of duty on September 11, 2001. As every police officer knows, however, the police are more likely to be the subjects of criticism than of praise. There are some obvious and some less than obvious reasons for the basic ambivalence Americans have toward the police.